"I urge the universities and UGC to take effective steps for the rapid implementation of the 'Integrated University Information Management Platform', including the introduction of e-governance courses in universities, to build a ‘Digital Bangladesh’,” he said at the closing ceremony of a workshop at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
President Hamid said initial plans have been made to identify and implement about 2,074 digital services of different ministries. As part of this programme, steps have been taken to design and plan 723 services of 23 ministries.
He lauded the decision to include universities in digitalisation. The universities have gone a long way in digitisation with the completion of the ‘Design and Planning Lab’ of the Unified University Management Software and Integrated University Information Management Platform of the 157 universities, he said.
“University students, teachers, researchers, office-bearers and parents can enjoy its benefits from anywhere using this software and save money and time,” he said.
President Hamid said the 'Integrated University Information Management Platform' will not only benefit the students but also accelerate activities of universities.
"It will create an environment of transparency and accountability as well," he said.
Mentioning the major role of the teachers and researchers in preserving and promoting the quality of education, he said: "For a student, you (teachers) are the ideal. So you’ve to play a more prompt, sincere and meaningful role in the acquisition, rearing, practice and distribution of knowledge."
He stressed producing skilled and expert technologists to face the challenges of fourth industrial revolution. The chancellor said domestic technologists will need to get higher education and training, noting that they have to increase cooperation between foreign institutions and technologists along with taking higher education and training.
Hamid hoped that the government's information and communication technology departments, including the engineering, science and technology universities of the country will take initiative in this regard.
UGC Chairman Professor Kazi Shahidullah presided over the concluding session of the workshop.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasain Chowdhury, Senior Secretary to the Information and Communication Technology Division NM Ziaul Alam were present at the programme as special guests.
Palak and Mohibul handed over the digital service design specification to the President.
Chief e-governance strategist of A2i project of ICT division Farhad Zahid Sheikh presented the background, activities and coordinated planning of digital service design and planning lab.
UGC decided to open a Digital Service Design Lab for bringing the digital services of the country's universities under a single platform. The decision was announced at the six-day workshop starting January 16 at the auditorium of Public Works Department in the city.
Secretaries concerned to the President were present in the programme.